What is one key aspect architects must manage concerning budgets?

Aligning design and construction within financial constraints is essential for architects because it ensures that the project remains viable and meets the client's budgetary expectations. Architects must consider the costs associated with materials, labor, and overall project execution while developing their designs. This aspect of project management involves communication with clients, contractors, and various stakeholders to ensure that design decisions are informed by financial realities.

Managing budgets effectively allows architects to create innovative designs that not only fulfill aesthetic and functional requirements but also adhere to the financial limits set by clients. This alignment is crucial for maintaining client satisfaction and project feasibility, as it helps prevent cost overruns and ensures projects can be completed successfully within the outlined financial parameters.

In contrast, other approaches, such as eliminating client communication or focusing solely on design, would hinder the architect's ability to understand and integrate the financial aspects of a project. Mastery of financial forecasting, while beneficial, is just one part of the broader responsibility of managing budgets effectively within the context of the overall design and construction process.